I'm studying the Speed and Velocity chapter. But there isn't anywhere mentioned in my book about clarity for the exact difference between Instantaneous speed and Acceleration. I'm curious to know about it.
Instantaneous Velocity: Instantaneous Velocity is Changing/Increasing at non-constant rate
Acceleration: Rate of change of velocity is called acceleration
Both terms seem confusing. anyone knows it to explain it in a better way?
Best Answer
The velocity defined as $\vec{v}=\frac{d\vec{s}}{dt}$ is called instantaneous velocity. There is also average velocity which equals $\vec{v}=\frac{\Delta \vec{s}}{\Delta t}$, over some time $\Delta t$. In the case of uniform motion, average velocity over any time is the same as instantaneous velocity at any time.
Uniform motion happens when there is no acceleration on the body.
Instantaneous acceleration is $\vec{a}=\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}$. There is also average acceleration which equals $\vec{a}=\frac{\Delta \vec{v}}{\Delta t}$, over some time $\Delta t$. In the case of uniformly accelerated motion, acceleration over any time is the same as instantaneous acceleration at any time.
Uniformly accelerated motion happens when a net constant force acts on the body. Hence uniform motion can also be defined as when the body experiences NO net force.
In simple terms, the velocity tells how fast the position is changing whereas the acceleration tells us how fast the velocity is changing.